Apparatus for separating superimposed flexible sheet materials

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for separating superimposed flexible sheet materials which comprises a first segment roller consisting of divided segments, a second segment roller rotatable independently of said first segment roller and adapted to nip the superimposed sheet materials together with said first segment roller, said first segment roller rotating at a peripheral speed faster than that of the second segment roller, and a separating member secured rotatably between the segments of said first segment roller and including an engaging portion which engages with the forward ends of the superimposed sheet materials and is moved along the periphery of said first segment roller by the proceeding of the engaged sheet materials, whereby one sheet material of the engaged sheet materials which is in contact with the second segment roller is separated from the other sheet material in contact with the first segment roller as a result of the disengagement of the forward end of said one sheet material from the engaging portion by the difference in peripheral speed between said segment rollers. The separating apparatus is used especially with a copying machine.

United States Patent [1 1 Kitagawa et al.

( Nov. 25, 1975 APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SUPERIMPOSED FLEXIBLE SHEETMATERIALS [75] Inventors: Takaich Kitagawa, lbaraki;

Yoshitaka Miyoshi, Nara; Takaji Washio, Toyonaka; Tatsuo Aizawa, Osaka.all of Japan [73] Assignee: Mita Industrial Company, Ltd., Osaka. Japani 21 Filed: June 7, 1974 l l Appl. No.1 477,454

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 220,302, Jan.24, I972.

Primary Examiner-Evon Cv Blunk Assistant ExaminerBruce H. Stoner, Jr.Attorney. Agent. or Firm-Sherman & Shalloway [57} ABSTRACT An apparatusfor separating superimposed flexible sheet materials which comprises afirst segment roller consisting of divided segments, a second segmentroller rotatable independently of said first segment roller and adaptedto nip the superimposed sheet materials together with said first segmentroller, said first segment roller rotating at a peripheral speed fasterthan that of the second segment roller. and a separating member securedrotatably between the segments of said first segment roller andincluding an engaging portion which engages with the forward ends of thesuperimposed sheet materials and is moved along the periphery of saidfirst segment roller by the proceeding of the engaged sheet materials,whereby one sheet material of the engaged sheet materials which is incontact with the second segment roller is separated from the other sheetmaterial in contact with the first segment roller as a result of thedisengagement of the forward end of said one sheet material from the engaging portion by the difference in peripheral speed between saidsegment rollers. The separating appara tus is used especially with acopying machine.

22 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 1 of73,921,973

US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 2 of7 3,921,973

Fig. 4

US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 3 of? 3,921,973

U.S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet4 of7 3,921,973

US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 5 of7 3,921,973

US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 6 of7 3,921,973

U.S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 7 of? 3,921,973

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APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING SUPERIMPOSED FLEXIBLE SHEET MATERIALS This is acontinuation, of application Ser. No. 220,302, filed .Ian. 24, I972, nowabandoned.

This invention relates to an apparatus for separating superimposedflexible sheet materials, and more specifically, to an apparatus forautomatically separating superimposed sheets of paper from each other ina business machine such as copying machines.

In a diazo-type copying machine for example, an original and copyingpaper are introduced into an exposing zone in the superimposed state,and the original is separated from the copying paper thus exposed. Onlythe exposed copying paper is fed to a developing zone, and the developedcopy is obtained. Various devices have been proposed previously in orderto separate the superimposed original and copying paper automaticallyfrom each other. All of such prior devices comprise a pre-operating orshifting mechanism for shifting the forward ends of the superimposedoriginal and copying paper by a distance necessary for a separatingoperation and a separating mechanism for separating the original fromthe copying paper by a suitable member.

For example, in the copying apparatus disclosed in Japanese PatentPublication No. 33235/70, a curved detouring passage is formed inproximity to the delivery outlet of an exposing portion, and a pair ofshift rollers having different peripheral speeds are provided at theoutlet of this detouring passage. By this pair of shift rollers, theadvancing of the copying paper discharged from the exposing portion in astate being superimposed with the original, and the copying paper ismade to travel straight on the detouring passage. This permits theshifting of the forward ends of the original and the copying paper by adistance necessary for a separating operation. Then, the original andthe copying paper whose ends have been shifted are fed into anautomatically separating apparatus, thereby to separate the originalfrom the copying paper.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 27874/65 proposes an apparatus whereintwo pairs of rollers having different peripheral speeds are provided ina spacedapart relationship in the direction of the outlet of an exposingzone, and a curved passage is provided beneath a passage between thesetwo pairs of rollers. Furthermore, a pick-up guide plate is providedabove said passage between two pairs of rollers in opposition to thecurved passage, so that when the forward end of either of thesuperimposed original and copying paper is made to go ahead, the pick-upguide separates the forward end of the other paper that lags behind.

Thus, the prior apparatus for separating superimposed sheets of paper isadapted to shift the forward ends of the superimposed sheets by adistance necessary for a separating operation, and to separate thesuperimposed sheets by a separating mechanism such as a separatingmember utilizing this difference in distance. Hence, the prior apparatusrequires the provision of a mechanism for shifting the forward ends ofthe superimposed sheets of paper and a mechanism for separating thesuperimposed papers so shifted, separately in a passage for transferringthe papers. This complicates the apparatus, and the paper transferringpassage should be made longer. In addition to this dissatisfaction, theindependent provision of the shifting zone and the separating zone inthe transfer passage is restricted in the design for the apparatus inthat superimposed 2 sheets of paper whose ends have been shifted in theshifting zone must be fed exactly and precisely into the desiredposition of the separating zone while maintaining the shifted state.Moreover, if the superimposed sheets are in a curved state, not a planeone, it becomes a cause of failure of separating operation.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel separating apparatusfree from the above-mentioned defects, in which a zone for shifting thesuperimposed sheets of paper and a zone for separating the superimposedsheets of paper whose ends have been shifted are not required to beprovided separately, and the superimposed sheets of paper are fed into asingle separating zone while their ends are maintained in a registeredstate and the separation of the superimposed sheets can be achievedtherein.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus forseparating superimposed flexible sheet materials, which is far simplerin structure and more compact than the prior apparatus of this kind.

According to this invention, there is provided an apparatus forseparating superimposed flexible sheet ma terials which comprises afirst segment roller consisting of divided segments, a second segmentroller rotatable independently of said first segment roller and adapatedto nip the superimpost d sheet materials together with said firstsegment roller, said second segment roller rotating at a predeterminedperipheral speed and said first segment roller rotating at a peripheralspeed faster than that of the second segment roller, and a separatingmember including an engaging portion which engages with the forward endsof the superimposed sheet materials and is moved along the periphery ofsaid first segment roller by the proceeding of the engaged sheetmaterials, and being secured rotatably between the segments of saidfirst segment roller, whereby one sheet material of the engaged sheetmaterials which is in contact with the second segment roller isseparated from the other sheet material in contact with the firstsegment roller as a result of the disengagement of the forward end ofsaid one sheet material from the engaging portion by a difference inperipheral speed between said first and second segment rollers.

The separating apparatus of this invention is especially effective forseparating an original and a copying paper in a copying machine, such asa diazo-type copying apparatus, in which the original and the copyingpaper are used in an intimately contacted state, and therefore, thefollowing description will be directed chiefly to the application of theseparating apparatus to copying machines. It should however be notedthat the apparatus of this invention is also useful for separatingsuperimposed flexible sheet materials in other machines, for example,the sorting and separating of slips.

The present invention will be described further with reference to theaccompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same membersare designated by the same reference numerals in order to avoid anyduplication of description.

FIG. I is a side elevation showing the basic structure of one embodimentof the apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially-broken-away elevation along the line A-A of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a partially-broken-away top plan along the line B-B of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 51: through 5d are explanatory views for illus trating theoperation of separating superimposed sheet l'flLlItfflillt-il FIG. 6 isan arrangement of the apparatus of this invention for use in separatingsuperimposed sheet materials;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of a diazotype copying machine to which theapparatus shown in FIG. 6 has been applied;

FIG. 8a is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the apparatusof this invention which is used in conjunction with a detouring passageforming member;

FIG. 8b is an explanatory view for illustrating the necessary parametersfor performing the separation of the superimposed sheet materials;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of a diazo-type copying machine to which theapparatus shown in FIG. 8a has been applied;

FIGS. 10 to 13 each are a partly-broken-away elevation showingembodiments of the first segment roller and the second segment roller.

FIG. 14 is a side elevation showing another example of the separatingnail member; and

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 14.

Referring to FIGS. 1 though 4. segment rollers 1 are secured in aspaced-apart relationship to a drive shaft 2 fitted to a machine frame19 (FIGS. 2 and 3) through a bearing 2. Facing the first segmentrollers. a segment roller 4 is secured to a drive shaft 5 fitted to themachine frame 19 through a bearing 5'.

The first segment roller 1 and the second segment roller 4 form a nip 3(FIG. ll for transferring superimposed flexible sheet materials but arerotatable independently of each other. To achieve this. each of thesegments of the segment roller 1 is alternated with each of the segmentsof the segment roller 4 and they do not come into contact with eachother but are arranged so that they have a common contacting surface. Atthis time. the individual segments may project somewhat from the commonsurface. The peripheral speed of the second segment roller 4 is madeequal to the feeding speed of flexible sheet materials, and theperipheral speed of the first segment roller 1 is made larger than this.

One of the critical features of this invention is that a separatingmember 6 is rotatably fitted loosely between the segments of said firstsegment roller 1, and an engaging portion ll (FIGS. 1 and 4) forengaging the forward ends of the superimposed sheets to be fed to thenip position 3 of said segment rollers l and 4 is provided at theforward end of this separating nail member 6. and said first and secondsegment rollers 1 and 4 and the separating member 6 are provided in acooperating relationship such that when the forward ends of thesuperimposed sheets are engaged with said engaging portion 11. theseparating member 6 revolves to move the forward ends of saidsuperimposed sheets along the periphery of said first segment roller I,and by a difference in peripheral speed between said first and secondsegment rollers l and 4, the forward end of one of the superimposedsheet materials is disengaged from said engaging portion 1] thereby toseparate the superimposed sheets from each other.

To achieve this. a receiving core 8 is loosely fitted to the drive shaft2 between the segments of the first segment roller 1. The receiving core8 and the drive shaft 2 are rotatable relative to each other. but toprevent the LII revolution ofthe receiving core 8. the receiving core 8is secured to one ends of two core fixing plates 7 facing each otherwith a small distance therebetween. The other ends of the receiving corefixing plates 7 are integrated with a spacer 9. and are fixed tostationary shaft 10 secured to the machine frame 19. The separatingmember 6 is loosely fitted between two facing receiving core fixingplates 7.

The engaging portion 11 of the separating member 6 is always at the sameposition as the nipping position 3 of the segment rollers l and 4 whenit is in an inoperating condition, and is adapated to be engaged withthe forward ends of the superimposed sheets to be fed to the nipsurface. To achieve this, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. the separatingmember 6 is provided such that its center of gravity G (FIG. 1) islocated beneath said receiving core 8, and the separating member 6 canfreely revolve about the receiving core 8. In order that the separatingmember 6 is stable at the position shown in FIG. 1. a loose hole 13 ofthe separating member 6 to be fitted loosely into the receiving core 8has a flat surface 12 on the side opposite to the engaging portion 11,and another flat surface is provided opposite thereto above thereceiving core 8. By this structure. the flat outer surface of thereceiving core 8 comes into contact with the flat inner surface 12 ofthe loose hole 13, and the separating member 6 is stabilized in thestate shown in FIG. 1, that is, in the state where the en gaging portion11 is crossing the nip position 3.

The loose hole 13 of the separating member 6 consists of an elongatedhole (elliptical hole) which somewhat extends in the direction of thediameter of the separating member 6, and it is preferred that thediameter of the second quadrant portion 14 of the core 8 should besomewhat shorter than the diameter each of the outer portions of thereceiving core 8. This construction enables the engaging portion 11 ofthe separating member 6 to project fully outwardly of the segment roller1 so as to cross the nip position of the segment roller 1 and 4, and toeffect the exact engagement of the forward ends of the superimposedsheets nipped by the segment rollers l and 4. When the forward ends ofthe superimposed sheets are engaged with the engaging portion 11 of theseparating member 6 and revolves along the circumference of the segmentroller 1, the engaging portion 11 of the separating member 6 exactlyprojects outwardly of the segment roller 1, and ensures the escaping ofone sheet material of the superimposed sheets (sheet material on theouter side) from the engaging portion 11.

The engaging portion 11 provided on the forward end of the separatingmember 6 may, for example, be a recess provided in the circumferentialdirection at the forward end of the separating member. The inner recesssurface of of this recess may be perpendicular to the direction ofdiameter. and the outer recess surface forms an angle of for example 5to 45 to the inner recess surface. The suitable angle of the outerrecess surface can be experimentally determined so that one sheetmaterial of the superimposed sheets engaged with the engaging portion 11 readily escapes incident to the revolution, and the separated othersheet material can escape readily when it reaches an upper limitposition of the engaging portion 11 or a position past the upper limitposition.

A projection 15 is provided at substantially right angles to thelongitudinal direction of the separating member 6. and a revolving arm16 whose forward end comes into engagement with the projection 15 issecured to the stationary shaft of the fixing plates 7. When it isdesired to stop the separation of the superimposed sheets, the revolvingarm 16 is revolved in the a direction to revolve the projectionclockwise, whereby the engaging portion ll of the separating member 6 isrevolved inwardly, and the engaging portion 11 can be removed from thenip position 3.

Above the first segment roller 1, a drive shaft 18 is secured to themachine frame 19 through a bearing 18, and to the drive shaft 18 isfixed a sheet transferring roller 17 which rotates clockwise. Theforward end of the separating member 6 which revolves about the segmentroller 1 while holding the other sheet material of the superimposedsheets in engagement, comes into contact with the sheet transferringroller I7 above the segment roller 1, is then revolved counterclockwise,and returned to the position shown in FIG. 1. At this time, the othersheet material engaged with the engaging portion 1 l of the separatingmember 6 comes out of 1 the engagement, and is delivered to a differentposition by a frictional force between it and the sheet transferringroller 17. The sheet transferring roller 17 may consist of separatedsegments, and in this case, the sheet transferring roller 17 must beprovided at a position at which it comes into engagement with theforward end of the revolving separating member 6.

The materials of the segment rollers l and 4 and the contacting surfaceshould be selected so that the frictional force (B) between the segmentroller 1 and the sheet material, the frictional force (C) between thesegment roller 4 and the sheet material, and the frictional force (A)between the sheet materials satisfy the following relation A B A CPreferably, the driving system for each roller should be one shown inFIG. 1. Specifically, a sprocket 48 is fixed to the drive shaft 5 of thesecond segment roller 4, and a sprocket 53, to the drive shaft 18 of thesheet transferring roller 17. When the distance between the feed nipposition 3', and the nip position 3 of the segment rollers l and 4 isshorter than the length of the superimposed sheets in the direction ofmovement, a friction clutch consisting of a friction plate 50 fixed tothe shaft, a loosely fitted sprocket 49, an elastic member 51, and acontrol screw 52 is preferably provided in the drive shaft 2 of thesegment roller 1 in order to reduce the excessive elongating force ofthe sheet material. Power from a power source is transmitted to eachsprocket by means of a chain.

The separating operation of the apparatus of this invention will bereadily understood by reference to FIGS. 50 through 5d.

Superimposed sheets consisting of one sheet material (for example, theoriginal) 21 and the other sheet material (for example, copying paper)are fed to the nip position 3 between the first segment roller 1 and thesecond segment roller 4, and the forward ends of the superimposed sheetscome into engagement with the engaging portion 11 of the separatingmember 6. By this engagement, the separating member 6 begins to revolvein the same direction as the first segment roller 1, that is,counterclockwise (FIG. 5a).

The forward ends of the superimposed sheets are assuredly held by theengaging portion 11 of the separating member 6, and the superimposedsheets move along the periphery of the first segment roller 1. Since theperipheral speed of the first segment roller 1 is larger than that ofthe second segment roller 4, the distance of movement of the sheetmaterial 2] is smaller than the movement distance of the sheet material20. Thus, the forward end of the sheet material 2] begins to come out ofthe engaging portion ll of the separating member 6 gradually (FIG. 5b).Since at this time, the flat surface 12 of the loose hole 13 of theseparating member 6 revolves while being in contact with the smalldiameter portion 14 of the second quadrant of the receiving core 8, theengaging portion ll of the separating member 6 projects sufficientlyoutwardly of the segment roller 1 to permit easy escape of the sheetmaterial 21.

Subsequently, the forward end of the sheet material 20 moves along theperiphery of the first segment roller 1 while being assuredly engagedwith the engaging portion 11 of the separating member 6, and the forwardend of the sheet material 2] completely comes out of the engagingportion 11 of the separating member 6 to effect the separation of thesuperimposed sheets (FIG. 5c). Since the loose hole 13 is an elongatedhole and the flat surface 12 moves in contact with the peripheralportion of the receiving core 8, the separating member 6 as a whole iswithdrawn in the direction of the center of the first segment roller 1to bring the other sheet material 20 engaged with the engaging portion11 into intimate contact with the circumferential surface of the segmentroller 1 and to prevent the escape of the sheet material 20 due to itsown toughness.

The separating member 6 further revolves, and its forward end mesheswith the sheet transferring roller 17. The peripheral speed of the sheetdelivery roller 17 is preferably larger than that of the first segmentroller. Hence, the separating member 6 which has meshed with the sheettransferring roller 17 rapidly revolves counterclockwise. By the rapidrevolution of the separating member 6, the forward end of the sheet 20is disengaged from the engaging portion 11, and delivered to thedischarge side or to another treating zone by the frictional forcebetween the sheet 20 and the roller 17 (FIG. 5d). The separating member6 returns to the position shown in FIG. 5a, and when superimposed sheetmaterials are freshly supplied, the above cycle is repeated. Thus. theseparation of superimposed sheet materials from each other can bereadily performed in a single separating zone.

The present invention can be practiced, for example, by the apparatus ofthe arrangement shown in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 6, superimposedsheets composed of a sheet 20 and a sheet 21 each having a length of lin the advancing direction is placed on a conveyor belt 25 driven by apair of rollers 23 and 24, and fed to the nip position 3 between thefirst segment roller 1 and the second segment roller 4. If the roller 24which nips the superimposed sheets are not provided on the conveyor belt25 or has a very weak nipping power on the superimposed sheets, thelength of the superimposed sheet in the advancing direction is notparticularly limited.

In order, however, to provide a distance difference on the periphery ofthe roller 1 for disengaging the forward end of the sheet 21' from theengaging portion, the distance (1,) between the nip position 3 betweenthe segment rollers l and 4 and the supply nip position 3' should havethe following relation to the length (l) of the suprimposed sheets Thisapplies to the assured nipping of the sheet materials 20 and 21 at thesupply nip position 3' with the provision of roller 24' on the conveyorbelt 25. The sheet material 21' separated from the engaging portion 11is received by a sheet receiver 26. The other sheet which has advancedalong the circumference of the segment roller 1 and has been disengagedfrom the engaging portion II by means of the roller 17 and separatedfrom the surface of the segment roller 1 is delivered along a guide 27to the discharge side or to another processing zone.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 6 can, for example, be applied as aseparating device of a diazo-type copying machine as shown in FIG. 7. Inthe copying apparatus shown in FIG. 7, the separating apparatus shown inFIG. 6 is disposed between an exposing zone E consisting of a cylinderglass 34 including a light source 33, and an endless belt 32 placed overa roller 28, the cylinder glass 34. rollers 29, 30 and 31 and adapted totransfer superimposed sheets in intimate contact with the cylinderglass. and a developing zone D consisting of a receptacle 38 for adeveloper solution and a pair of developing rollers 37.

Superimposed sheets consisting of the original 21 and a copying paper 20on a table are nipped by a pair of drive feed rollers 36, placed on theconveyor belt 32 driven by the roller 28 or 29, and fed between thecylinder glass 34 and the conveyor belt 32, followed by contactexposure. The superimposed sheets consisting of the exposed copyingpaper 20' and the original 21' are discharged from the exposing zone Ethrough the nip position 3', placed on a conveyor belt 25 drived by apair of rollers 23 and 24, and fed to the nip position 3 between thefirst segment roller 1 and the second segment roller 4. By the operationof the separating device of the present invention. the separation of theoriginal 21 from the exposed copying paper 21' is performed. Theseparated original 21' is discharged into a receiver 26 outside thecopying machine by means of segment roller pair. On the other hand. theexposed copying paper 20' separated is fed between a pair of developingrollers 37 via a guide 27 by means of transferring roller 17, and isdeveloped upon coating of a developer solution. The developed copy 20"is discharged on a copy receiver.

In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of this invention. adetouring passage-forming member is provided between the nip position ofthe segment roller pair and the supply nip position of the superimposedsheets thereby to form a detouring passage by which the superimposedsheets are curved and made to detour and supplied to the nip position ofsaid segment roller pair and the other sheet material (sheet material onthe side of the center of the curved surface) of the superimposed sheetsare maintained in the stretched state. Thus. by the cooperative actionof the separating device and the detouring passage. difierence in movingdistance necessary for escape of the forward end of the sheet material(sheet material outside) from the engaging portion is provided betweenthe nip position of the superimposed sheets and the nip surface of thesegment roller pair.

According to this embodiment, the separating apparatus can be providedin proximity to the supply nip position of the superimposed sheetirrespective of the length of the superimposed sheets in the movingdirection. This enables the superimposed sheets to be fed assuredly tothe separating apparatus, and makes the entire apparatus very smallsized.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 8a, first segment roller 1 and secondsegment roller 4 are provided apart from a pair of feed rollers 24 and24' with a small distance therebetween, and a detouring passage-formingmaterial 39 is disposed between this pair of feed rollers 24 and 24' andthe segment rollers l and 4. Superimposed sheets consisting of flexiblesheet materials 20 and 21 are fed to the nip position 3' of a pair offeed rollers 24 and 24. The superimposed sheets are moved by a pair ofrollers 24 and 24'. The forward ends advance along the detouring passageformed by the detouring passage-forming member, and the superimposedsheets are fed to the nip position 3 between the segment rollers 1 and4. The forward ends of the superimposed sheets come into engagement withthe engaging portion 11 of the separating member 6, to revolve theseparating member 6 counterclockwise. Since the peripheral speed of thefirst segment roller 1 is larger than that of the second segment roller4, the moving speed of the sheet moving in contact with the periphery ofthe segment roller 1 is quickened as compared with the sheet 21contacting the segment roller 4. The sheet 20 moving along this curveddetouring passage is maintained in a stretched condition between thesupply nip position 3' and the nip position 3 of the segment rollers asa result of increased speed of movement. Thus, a difference in distancewhich satisfies the following equation is provided between the forwardends of the superimposed sheets moving along the periphery of thesegment roller 1:

n 12 1 wherein I is a difference in moving distance between the forwardend of one sheet material and that of the other necessary fordisengaging one sheet material from the engaging portion of theseparating member, 1 is the length of a detouring passage formed betweenthe supply nip position and the nip position of the segment rollers, andI, is the length of a passage over which the sheet material passes inthe stretched stage between the supply nip position and the nip positionof the segment rollers. The length I, is within the range of 1 1, I,where I, is the straight line distance between the supply nip positionand the nip position of the segment rollers. Usually, it is preferredfor flexibility of the separating operation that I, is larger than 1',

The size of each member and the moving speed of the superimposed sheetsnecessary for the superimposed sheets will be readily understood byreference to FIG. 8b.

In FIG. 8b, the symbols have the following meanings.

v The feed speed of the superimposed sheet materials, and the movingspeed of one sheet material 21',

1-,: the moving speed of the other sheet material 20' moving in contactwith the first segment roller,

R: the effective radius of the first segment roller,

wthe angle of revolving of the first segment roller until the escape ofthe forward end of the sheet material 21' from the engaging portion ofthe separating member, 1,1 1 as described hereinabove.

The following relation holds good among v v w, R, J2, 3

The angle of revolution (to) of the first segment roller necessary forseparating the superimposed sheets is generally in the range of 1r-(Tr/l 2) 180 to l5), preferably 2/3 1r- (17/6) (120 to especiallypreferably (17/2) (rr/4)(90 to It is seen from the above equation thatin order to enlarge the moving speed difference between the ends of thesheets which is necessary for separation, it is advantageous that r /vis made small, that is, the moving speed of the sheet material moved bythe first segment roller is enlarged, or the effective radius of firstsegment roller is made large. Incidentally, v and v may be approximatelymade the peripheral speed of the first segment roller 1 and theperipheral speed of the second segment roller 4 if slippage between thesheet and the roller is ignored.

The moving distance difference 1 between the ends of the sheets which isnecessary for the separation of the superimposed sheets is 1 1,. Sinceis larger than 1,, 1 cannot exceed I 1,. But as 1;, is directlyproportional to the angle ((0) of revolution of the first segment rollerwithin the range of 1 1 -1 Hence, even when the moving distancedifference between the sheet ends cannot be obtained at a prescribedposition of the first segment roller because of slippage between thesheet and the roller, the moving distance difference between the sheetends gradually increases with the progress of revolution of the firstsegment roller, and therefore the moving distance difference requiredfor separation is always provided to ensure the success of theseparating operation. In other words, the separating apparatus of thisinvention allows a very large flexibility of the separating action.

The above relative equation can be applied to all of the apparatus shownin FIGS. 1 to 7 by defining the above-mentioned moving distancedifferences as 1 The combination of the separating apparatus and thedetouring passage-forming member shown in FIG. 80 can be appliedespecially conveniently to a copying machine requiring compactness. InFIG. 9, the separating apparatus and the detouring passage-formingmember shown in FIG. 8a are disposed between an exposing zone Econsisting ofa cylinder glass 34 including a light source 33, and anendless belt 32 placed over a roller 28, the cylinder glass 34, rollers29, 30 and 31 and adapted to transfer superimposed sheets in intimatecontact with the cylinder glass, and a developing zone D consisting of areceptacle 38 for a developer solution and a pair of developing rollers37.

The superimposed sheets consisting of the original 21 and a copyingpaper 20 are nipped by a pair of drive feed rollers 36, placed on theconveyor belt 32 driven by the roller 28 or 29, and fed between thecylinder glass 34 and the conveyor belt 32, followed by exposure. Thesuperimposed sheets consisting of the exposed copying paper 20' and theoriginal 21 are discharged from the exposing zone E via the nip position3. Then, the superimposed sheets advance over a curved detouring passageformed by the member 39, and are fed to the nip position 3 of thesegment rollers l and 4. By the operation of the separating apparatus ofthis invention, the original 21 is separated from the exposed copyingpaper 20' as described above. The separated original 21 is dischargedinto are receiver 26 outside the apparatus by means of the segmentrollers. On the other hand, the exposed copying paper 20' so separatedis fed between a pair of developing rollers 37 through a guide 27 bymeans of the transferring roller 17, and the development of the exposedcopying paper is completed upon coating the developer solution. Thedeveloped copy 20" is discharged into a copy receiver. According to thisapparatus, the discharging nip position 3' of the superimposed sheets inthe exposing zone can be made extremely near the nip position 3 of theseparating apparatus, and thus, the apparatus can be made compact.

Various modifications of me separating apparatus of this invention arepossible within the range in which they do not deviate from the essenceof the present invention.

For example, any rollers which are rotatable independently of each otherand are capable of forming a nip for transferring superimposed flexiblesheet materials can be used as the first and second segment rollers.Modifications of the segment rollers are shown, for instance. in FIGS.10 to 13.

In FIG. 10, the first segment roller consists of a plurality of segments1' having an annular recess a on the outer surface which are secured toa drive shaft 2. Between the respective segments l', a receiving core 8secured to one end of a fixed plate is disposed in a state looselyfitted in to the drive shaft 2. Facing the first segment roller 1', asecond segment roller 4 is secured to the drive shaft 5. The first andthe second segment rollers l' and 4' are arranged in relative positionssuch that the second segment roller 4 somewhat bites into the annularrecess a of the first segment roller 1'. This arrangment enables thesegment rollers to be revolved independently of each other, and thesuperimposed sheets to be nipped with the segment roller pair.

The same effect can be achieved by forming arc-like recesses b on theouter peripheral surface of the first segment roller 1 secured to thedrive shaft 2, and forming arc-like bulges c so that the bulges c of thesecond segment roller slightly bite into the recesses b of the firstsegment roller 1'', as shown in FIG. 11.

As shown in FIG. 12, the first segment roller 1 fixed to the drive shaft2 and the second segment roller 4 fixed to the drive shaft 5 may beprovided such that the separated rollers face each other with a slightclearance therebetween which is smaller than the thickness of thesuperimposed sheets. This enables the first and second segment rollersto rotate independently of each other and to nip the superimposedsheets.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 13, a segment roller 1 consisting of aplurality of segments with a receiving core 8 and a separating member 6therebetween is secured fixedly to a drive shaft 2, and an idle roller1" is fitted loosely to the drive shaft 2 at a position between thesegmetns of the segment rollers I through a bearing f so that it isrotatable relative to the drive shaft 2. On the other hand, facing thefirst segment roller 1, an idle roller 4" is fitted loosely to the driveshaft 5 through a bearing 2, and facing the idle roller 1". the secondsegment roller 4 is secured fixedly to the drive shaft 5. The first andsecond segment rollers l and 4 are arranged in relative positions suchthat the first segment roller 1 comes into contact with the idle roller4' and the second segment roller 4 comes into contact with the idleroller 1". in this case also, it is possible to rotate the first segmentroller 1 and the second segment roller 4 independently of each other,and superimposed sheets can be assuredly nipped with these rollers.

The separating member 6 may be any which is loosely and rotatably fittedbetween the segments of the first segment roller, and has an engagingportion for bringing the forward ends of the superimposed sheets intoengagement therewith. For example, the separating member may be of anarm-like structure or a rotary body. as shown in F165. 1 to 4. Theengaging portion provided in the separating member may be one or more innumber.

The separating member 6 may, for example, be of the structure shown inFIGS. 14 and 15. Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the separating member 6consists of a circular or elliptical plate both ends of which includeengaging portions 11 and ll face to face for engaging the forward end ofthe superimposed sheets. The engaging portions 11 and 11' may consist ofnotches opened in opposite directions to each other, and the shape ofthe notches may be those described in detail in FIGS. l to 4.

Stopping members 40 and 40 for stopping the separating member 6 in thestate shown in FIG. 14 are provided apart from the engaging portions 1 land 11' by a small distance in the direction of rotation of theseparating member 6.

The separating member 6 is fitted loosely and rotatably to the driveshaft 2 between the segments la and lb of the first segment roller 1secured to the drive shaft 2. At this time, one side surface of theseparating member 6 and the side surface of the segment 1a oppositethereto together form a frictional surface 47. An elastic member 46 isdisposed between the other side surface of the separating member 6 andthe segment lb opposite thereto. This permits the separating member 6 tourge the segment la with a relatively weak force. and to rotate it withthe revolution of the segment la.

Facing the segments 1a and lb of the first segment roller, the secondsegment roller 4 secured to the drive shaft 5 is disposed so that theyare rotated independently of each other and nip the superimposed sheetsassuredly.

In order to render the separating member 6 stationary at the positionshown in FIG. 14, a rotatable Llever 41 is loosely fitted to a shaft 42secured to the frame, through a bearing 45. L-lever 41 includes aforward end 44 which meshes with said stopping members 40 and 40 of theseparating member 6 and stops the rotation of the separating member 6 ata prescribed position and an end portion 43 which meshes with theforward ends of the superimposed sheets to revolve the L lever 41 anddisengage the forward end 44 of the L- lever 41 from the stoppingmembers 40 and 40' of the separating member 6.

A sheet pick'up guide 27 is disposed across, and on the upper left side(first quadrant) of, the separating member 6 and the segment rollers 1aand lb. ln prox- 12 imity to the sheet pick-up guide 27', a sheettransferring roller 17 is provided.

The forward ends of superimposed flexible sheets, while pressing the endportion 43 of the L-lever 41, is fed to the nip position 3 between thefirst segment roller l and the second segment roller 4, and engaged withthe engaging portion 11 of the separating member 6. By the pressing ofthe end portion 43, the engagement between the forward end of theL-lever 41 and the stopping member 40 of the separating member 6 isreleased. Thus, the separating member 6 begins to rotatecounterclockwise in engagement with the forward ends of the superimposedsheets, and by the operation described in detail hereinabove, theforward end of one of the sheet materials is removed from the engagingportion 11.

The other sheet material engaged with the engaging portion 1 l of theseparating member 6 is pick up by the sheet pick-up guide extendingacross the rotating surface of the engaging portion 11, and the forwardend of the sheet material is removed from the engaging portion 11. Thesheet material moves along the guide 27, and fed to a sheet dischargingzone or other treating zone by means of the sheet transferring roller17.

After the forward end of the sheet material has been removed from theengaging portion 11, the separating member 6 continues its rotation by arelatively small frictional contact with the segment roller la, but bythe engagement of the forward end 44 of the L-lever 41 with the stoppingmember 40 of the separating member 6, comes to a halt at the positionshown in FIG. 14.

The separating apparatus of this invention can be used in variousembodiments other than those described above. For example, the first andsecond segment rollers may have any desired relative positions, forinstance, the positions reverse to those shown in the drawings, or thepositions in the transverse direction.

What we claim is:

1. Apparatus for separating superimposed sheet materials comprising afirst segmenet roller formed of spaced segments fixed to a rotatingshaft; a second segment roller disposed to form a nip position with saidfirst segment roller to receive said sheet materials and rotating at aperipheral speed slower than the peripheral speed of rotation of saidfirst segment roller; and at least one separating member, saidseparating member having mounting means including a hole for loosely androtatably mounting said separating member on said shaft of the firstsegment roller on the space between said segments to rotateindependently of the rotation of said shaft; said loose mounting meansincluding means for causing said separating member to move radially withrespect to said shaft, said separating member having an engaging portionpositionable at said nip position for receiving the leading edges of thesheet materials and movable along the periphery of said first segmentroller with engagement by the leading edges of the sheet materials, suchthat the sheet material contacting said second segment roller is shiftedbehind the sheet material contacting said first segment roller togradually remove the leading edge of the sheet material contacting saidsecond segment roller from said engaging portion of said separatingmember whereby the sheet materials are separated.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, which further includes feeding means forfeeding the superimposed sheet materials to said first and secondsegment rollers at a speed equal to the speed of said second segmentroller,

and a detouring passage-forming member located between said feeedingmeans and said nip position between said first and second segmentrollers. said passage-forming member maintaining the sheet contactingsaid second segment roller in a detouring condition and permitting thesheet material in contact with said first segment roller to be in astretched state.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, which further includes means for feedingthe sheet materials in a nipped state to said first and second segmentrollers, the distance from the nip position of said feeding means tosaid nip position between said first and second segment rollers beinglarger than the length of the sheet materials, and means located betweensaid two nip positions for feeding the sheet materials without nipping.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said separating member is aplate-like member having said engaging portion at one end and asubstantially elliptical hole at the other end, and further comprising acore member secured rotatably to said shaft of said first segment rollerand loosely inserted in said elliptical hole.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a part of the outer surface of saidcore member and a part of said hole in said separating member are flat,said flat surfaces contacting each other when said engaging portion ofsaid separating member is at said nip position between said first andsecond segment rollers.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the inner surface of said hole andthe outer surface of said core have a shape such that as said separatingmember further rotates from the position of separating the sheetmaterials, said engaging portion is withdrawn by a cam action of bothsurfaces in the direction of the center of said first segment roller.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said separating member includes aprojection substantially at right angles to the longitudinal directionof said separating member, and further comprising a rotating arm securedto a stationary shaft and movable to engage said projection.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said separating member is acircular or elliptical member having engaging portions at diametricallyopposite portions and is secured rotatably to said shaft of said firstsegment roller, and further comprising a lever for stopping said memberin a condition such that one of said engaging portions is disposed atsaid nip position between said first and second segment rollers.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, which further includes a sheet materialpick-up guide extending across the rotat ing surface of said engagingportion of said separating member.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second segment roller isformed of spaced segments and said segments of said first segment rollerare arranged alternately with said segments of said second segmentroller so that said segments of said first and second segment rollerscontact a common surface but do not contact each other.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said segments of said firstsegment roller have annular cavities on the outer periphery, and saidsecond segment roller is formed of spaced segments aligned with andextending into said cavities.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said segments of said firstsegment roller have arc-like cavities on the outer periphery thereof,and said second segment roller is formed of spaced segments havingarc-like bulges on 14 the outer periphery thereof aligned with andextending into said arc-like cavities.

13. The apparatus of claim I, wherein said second segment rollerjsformed of spaced segments and each of said segments of said firstsegment roller faces one of said segments of said second segment rollerwith a clearance therebetween slightly smaller than the thickness of thesheet materials.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second segment roller isformed of spaced segments and further comprising a shaft driving saidsecond segment roller, an idle roller secured rotatably to said shaft ofsaid second segment roller at a position facing said segments of saidfirst segment roller, and another idle roller secured rotatably to saidshaft of said first segment roller at a position facing said segments ofsaid second segment roller.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said separating member is mountedon said shaft by means of an elongated hole.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said engaging portion of saidseparating member is generally aligned with the elongated axis of saidhole.

17. A copying apparatus comprising a cylinder glass containing a lightsource. an endless belt moving along the periphery of said cylinderglass to bring superimposed original and copying sheets into intimatecontact with said cylinder glass; a first segment roller formed ofspaced segments fixed to a rotating shaft; a second segment rollerdisposed to form a nip position with said first segment roller toreceive said original and copying shets and rotating at a peripheralspeed slower than the peripheral speed of rotation of said first segmentroller; at least one separating member, said separating member havingmounting means including a hole for loosely and rotatably mounting saidseparating member on said shaft of the first segment roller in the spacebetween said segments to rotate independently of the rotation of saidshaft; said loose mounting means including means for causing saidseparating member to move radially with respect to said shaft, saidseparating member having an engaging portion positionable at said nipposition for receiving the leading edges of the original and copyingsheets and movable along the periphery of said first segment roller withengagement by the leading edges of the original and copying sheets, suchthat the sheet contacting said second segment roller is shifted behindthe sheet contacting said first segment roller to gradually remove theleading edge of the sheet contacting said second segment roller fromsaid engaging portion of said separating member to separate the sheets;and developing means receiving said copying sheet.

18. The copying apparatus of claim 17 and further comprising a detouringpassage-forming member for maintaining the superimposed original andcopying sheets in a detouring condition and permitting the copying sheetor the original sheet in contact with said first segment roller to be ina stretched state, said detouring passage-forming member being disposedbetween the point of delivery of the superimposed original and copyingsheets by said endless belt from the periphery of said cylinder glassand said nip position between said first and second segment rollers.

19. The copying apparatus of claim 17 wherein the distance from thepoint of delivery of the superimposed original and copying sheets bysaid endless belt from the periphery of the cylinder glass to said nipposition between said first and second segment rollers is larger 16imposed original and copying sheets without nipping, the distance fromthe nip position of said feeding means to said nip position between saidfirst and second segment rollers being larger than the length of saidsuperimposed original and copying sheets.

21. The copying apparatus of claim 17, wherein said separating member ismounted on said shaft by means of an elongated hole.

22. The copying apparatus of claim 21, wherein said engaging member isgenerally aligned with the elongated axis of said hole.

patent 3,921,973 Dated November 25, 1975 Inventor(s) Takaich Kitagawa etal.

It is certified that error appears in the ahove-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 12, line 49, delete "on", insert in Column 13, line 43, delete"opposite portions", insert opposite positions Signcd and Scaled thistwenty-fourth D a y of February 1 9 76 SE AL] A nest.

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Offire ('mnmissimu-r uj'Paremsand Trademark:

1. Apparatus for separating superimposed sheet materials comprising afirst segmenet roller formed of spaced segments fixed to a rotatingshaft; a second segment roller disposed to form a nip position with saidfirst segment roller to receive said sheet materials and rotating at aperipheral speed slower than the peripheral speed of rotation of saidfirst segment roller; and at least one separating member, saidseparating member having mounting means including a hole for loosely androtatably mounting said separating member on said shaft of the firstsegment roller on the space between said segments to rotateindependently of the rotation of said shaft; said loose mounting meansincluding means for causing said separating member to move radially withrespect to said shaft, said separating member having an engaging portionpositionable at said nip position for receiving the leading edges of thesheet materials and movable along the periphery of said first segmentroller with engagement by the leading edges of the sheet materials, suchthat the sheet material contacting said secOnd segment roller is shiftedbehind the sheet material contacting said first segment roller togradually remove the leading edge of the sheet material contacting saidsecond segment roller from said engaging portion of said separatingmember whereby the sheet materials are separated.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, which further includes feeding means for feeding thesuperimposed sheet materials to said first and second segment rollers ata speed equal to the speed of said second segment roller, and adetouring passage-forming member located between said feeeding means andsaid nip position between said first and second segment rollers, saidpassage-forming member maintaining the sheet contacting said secondsegment roller in a detouring condition and permitting the sheetmaterial in contact with said first segment roller to be in a stretchedstate.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, which further includes means forfeeding the sheet materials in a nipped state to said first and secondsegment rollers, the distance from the nip position of said feedingmeans to said nip position between said first and second segment rollersbeing larger than the length of the sheet materials, and means locatedbetween said two nip positions for feeding the sheet materials withoutnipping.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said separating member isa plate-like member having said engaging portion at one end and asubstantially elliptical hole at the other end, and further comprising acore member secured rotatably to said shaft of said first segment rollerand loosely inserted in said elliptical hole.
 5. The apparatus of claim4, wherein a part of the outer surface of said core member and a part ofsaid hole in said separating member are flat, said flat surfacescontacting each other when said engaging portion of said separatingmember is at said nip position between said first and second segmentrollers.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the inner surface of saidhole and the outer surface of said core have a shape such that as saidseparating member further rotates from the position of separating thesheet materials, said engaging portion is withdrawn by a cam action ofboth surfaces in the direction of the center of said first segmentroller.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said separating memberincludes a projection substantially at right angles to the longitudinaldirection of said separating member, and further comprising a rotatingarm secured to a stationary shaft and movable to engage said projection.8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said separating member is acircular or elliptical member having engaging portions at diametricallyopposite portions and is secured rotatably to said shaft of said firstsegment roller, and further comprising a lever for stopping said memberin a condition such that one of said engaging portions is disposed atsaid nip position between said first and second segment rollers.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8, which further includes a sheet material pick-upguide extending across the rotating surface of said engaging portion ofsaid separating member.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said secondsegment roller is formed of spaced segments and said segments of saidfirst segment roller are arranged alternately with said segments of saidsecond segment roller so that said segments of said first and secondsegment rollers contact a common surface but do not contact each other.11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said segments of said firstsegment roller have annular cavities on the outer periphery, and saidsecond segment roller is formed of spaced segments aligned with andextending into said cavities.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidsegments of said first segment roller have arc-like cavities on theouter periphery thereof, and said second segment roller is formed ofspaced segments having arc-like bulges on the outer periphery thereofaligned with and extending into said arc-like caVities.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said second segment roller is formed ofspaced segments and each of said segments of said first segment rollerfaces one of said segments of said second segment roller with aclearance therebetween slightly smaller than the thickness of the sheetmaterials.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second segmentroller is formed of spaced segments and further comprising a shaftdriving said second segment roller, an idle roller secured rotatably tosaid shaft of said second segment roller at a position facing saidsegments of said first segment roller, and another idle roller securedrotatably to said shaft of said first segment roller at a positionfacing said segments of said second segment roller.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said separating member is mounted on said shaft bymeans of an elongated hole.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein saidengaging portion of said separating member is generally aligned with theelongated axis of said hole.
 17. A copying apparatus comprising acylinder glass containing a light source, an endless belt moving alongthe periphery of said cylinder glass to bring superimposed original andcopying sheets into intimate contact with said cylinder glass; a firstsegment roller formed of spaced segments fixed to a rotating shaft; asecond segment roller disposed to form a nip position with said firstsegment roller to receive said original and copying shets and rotatingat a peripheral speed slower than the peripheral speed of rotation ofsaid first segment roller; at least one separating member, saidseparating member having mounting means including a hole for loosely androtatably mounting said separating member on said shaft of the firstsegment roller in the space between said segments to rotateindependently of the rotation of said shaft; said loose mounting meansincluding means for causing said separating member to move radially withrespect to said shaft, said separating member having an engaging portionpositionable at said nip position for receiving the leading edges of theoriginal and copying sheets and movable along the periphery of saidfirst segment roller with engagement by the leading edges of theoriginal and copying sheets, such that the sheet contacting said secondsegment roller is shifted behind the sheet contacting said first segmentroller to gradually remove the leading edge of the sheet contacting saidsecond segment roller from said engaging portion of said separatingmember to separate the sheets; and developing means receiving saidcopying sheet.
 18. The copying apparatus of claim 17 and furthercomprising a detouring passage-forming member for maintaining thesuperimposed original and copying sheets in a detouring condition andpermitting the copying sheet or the original sheet in contact with saidfirst segment roller to be in a stretched state, said detouringpassage-forming member being disposed between the point of delivery ofthe superimposed original and copying sheets by said endless belt fromthe periphery of said cylinder glass and said nip position between saidfirst and second segment rollers.
 19. The copying apparatus of claim 17wherein the distance from the point of delivery of the superimposedoriginal and copying sheets by said endless belt from the periphery ofthe cylinder glass to said nip position between said first and secondsegment rollers is larger than the length of said superimposed originaland copying sheets, and further comprising means for feeding saidsuperimposed original and copying sheets without nipping between saidpoint of delivery and said nip position.
 20. The copying apparatus ofclaim 17, which further includes feeding means for receiving and nippingthe superimposed original and copying sheets delivered by said endlessbelt from the periphery of said cylinder glass, and means locatedbetween the nip position of said feeding means and said nip positionbetween said first anD second segment rollers for feeding saidsuperimposed original and copying sheets without nipping, the distancefrom the nip position of said feeding means to said nip position betweensaid first and second segment rollers being larger than the length ofsaid superimposed original and copying sheets.
 21. The copying apparatusof claim 17, wherein said separating member is mounted on said shaft bymeans of an elongated hole.
 22. The copying apparatus of claim 21,wherein said engaging member is generally aligned with the elongatedaxis of said hole.